The Changing of the Guard

For two generations we’ve witnessed the decline and decay of religious institutions across the Western world. As they drift from the Word, the Spirit and the core missionary task, expect more of the same. Meanwhile, God is at work, always on the fringes doing something new, which is at the same time a return to the old ways.

Jesus came to fulfill Israel’s calling to be a light to the nations. He called men and women to follow him and learn to fish for others. He embodied true Israel. He invited his opponents to come and join the celebration as the prodigals returned home.

Eventually judgment will fall on Jerusalem and the Temple and the new Israel will emerge to take its place.

Acts is the story of how the movement of God emerges and comes to replace the Temple and the priesthood.

Jesus’ disciples are not on the inside but on the fringe of institutional religion. The gospel goes out in the power of the Spirit and the fruit is disciples and churches to the glory of God.

It’s the movement that puts pressure on the institution by its very existence. There’s continuity and discontinuity. Continuity — like Jesus the disciples are faithful Jews who believe the Scriptures have been fulfilled in Jesus. They are fulfilling Israel’s destiny. Discontinuity — they engage on their own terms. They do not try and change the system from within. Like Jesus, they invite the religious leaders to embrace what God is doing.

They are the movement of God that fulfills Israel’s calling. The religious leaders have all the institutional power and bitterly oppose the movement. The disciples have nothing but the Word, the Spirit and the core missionary task which they pursue. The gospel goes out in power and the fruit is disciples and churches to the glory of God. The true Israel is fulfilling its destiny by being a light to the nations. Unlike Lot’s wife, they don’t look back at what is passing away. They look forward to what God is doing.